News & Announcements

August 15, 2013

School Zone Enforcement Nets 21 Citations and 1 Warrant

Santa Fe Police issued 21 traffic citations and picked up one resident on a warrant for failure to pay fines during Wednesday’s Operation Safe School Zones. The tickets were primarily for speeding in a school zone.

The department’s Traffic Enforcement Division will be proactively monitoring the city’s school zones morning and afternoon for the next two weeks.

They will deploy the department’s Motorcycle Officers, Public Safety Aids and unmarked police units to keep an eye out for speeding drivers, those not wearing seat belts, drivers illegally talking on cell phones or those who drop students off in unmarked areas. They will also be on the lookout for jaywalking pedestrians.

The fine for speeding in a school zone is $398. If you’re going even one mile over the posted speed limit (15 mph with yellow flashing lights are present) you can get a ticket.

The department would also like to advise residents parking on Yucca Street while picking up or dropping off Santa Fe High School students is illegal, and those drivers will be ticketed.

“Each year around the second week of school, we get complaints about people speeding through school zones or drivers not following the rules,” said Santa Fe Traffic Sergeant Jose Gonzales. “This year we’re being proactive and reminding everyone now they need to slow down and be aware of our precious students before we have an accident.”